Hastings receives grant to complete trail project

HASTINGS, Neb. -- A city in central Nebraska will be completing a trail thanks to a grant from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. 

According to a news release, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved grant awards totaling nearly $1.4 million for the Recreational Trails program. 

Hastings was among the 16 communities to apply for the program and received $250,000 to build phase 4A of the Pioneer Spirit Trail. The trail will extend about 3.5 miles through south Hastings from First St. and Colorado Ave. to Carter Park, Lincoln Elementary and Brickyard Park. 

The complete project will total about 13.3 miles and cost about $1.75 million. The rest of the project will be paid for by the city's half-cent sales tax.

Bids are expected to be out in late spring.

Hickman, Cedar Creek, Curtis, Creighton, and North Platte also received grants.